LUCRECIA VALDEZ

AN EXCEPTIONAL MASTER ROLLER AND QUALITY SPECIALIST WITH FORTY-FOUR YEARS WORKING AT TABACALERA DE GARCÍA

Lucrecia Valdez, was born in the city of Higüey, in the eastern part of the Dominican Republic, and has lived for forty-five years in La Romana, where she had four children, while working as a cigar roller at Tabacalera de García cigar factory, a company in which she has worked for forty-four years and in which she holds the Master Cigar Roller and Quality Specialist position now. We have known Doña Lucrecia for more than fifteen years, and we have always seen her work with great professionalism, respect for her work and kindness towards people. When CIGARRO DOMINICANO decides to make this new special edition dedicated to the Ladies of the Tobacco Industry, we were clear that Mrs. Lucrecia had to be one of the interviewees, so that our readers would know her career and serve as an inspiration to other women who, like her, started in the tobacco sector without knowledge, getting to stand out greatly in her area.

CIGARRO DOMINICANO: How did Lucrecia Valdez comes to tobacco world?

LUCRECIA VALDEZ: Tabacalera de García had been operating for 10 years when I applied for the cigar roller position, without knowledge of what this position meant, I wanted to apply and they hired me. It was a great surprise for me to have been chosen in the same department for which I had applied, since other people were chosen randomly.

CD: Before starting to work at Tabacalera de García, did you ever imagine that you would have such an important career in the tobacco industry?

LV: When I started doing my daily duties, it was such a great challenge for me and I wondered when and how can I do it in such an excellent way? I put all my effort and focus, then I realized that nothing is difficult.

CD: What does Tabacalera de García mean in your life and what does it mean for you to celebrate 44 years working at TDG?

LV: It means too much for me. Thanks to this work I have achieved education for my family, livelihood and my own home. This is achieved with discipline, focus and a high level of commitment.

CD: In 44 years you have had many experiences, which one has had the greatest impact on your working life?

LV: What I have enjoyed the most has been the ongoing contacts with people and getting to know different cultures; this is enriching. I have learned many and better ways of seeing and doing things.

CD: What has been the most difficult and most satisfying stage of this path?

LV: The most difficult time was in my early years of work, when it was very difficult for me to achieve my production goal and when I was given a project and due to some difficulties, I couldn’t do it, then getting up and achieving it was my joy. At that moment I felt satisfied and I celebrated it myself.

CD: Could you share a very significant anecdote within Tabacalera de García?

LV: Of course. The moment I was informed about traveling to Europe had a great impact on my career. This was my first trip on behalf of the company. I was amazed, as well as grateful!

Luckily for me, a Spanish-speaking young woman was next to me (laughs), which made my flight hours more bearable.

CD: Your experience and skill as cigar roller has taken you to many international events. How many countries have you been in? Could you tell us which one has impacted you the most?

LV: I have been traveling since the 90s, through the American, European, Asian and Oceanian continents and I have visited more than 30 cities. Respecting their rules and laws and at the same time feeling very comfortable and safe. Each place I have visited has impacted me in a particular way and has been unforgettable.

CD: We know that your work has also led you to give training in other countries. Can you tell us about this experience?

LV: I have learned to collaborate at all times, sharing all my knowledge when the company requested me. As a Master, it is a great satisfaction to teach those who want to learn this art of ‘Making Cigars’, even outside my country. This has been very rewarding for me.

CD: What do you consider to be the key to your successful career?

LV: The humility, the integrity with which I have been able to handle myself. Know how to listen and not say no without first looking for a way. Taking on challenges with seriousness and commitment will undoubtedly lead you to success.

CD: Many brands are manufactured at TDG. Are any of them special to you?

LV: Is so difficult to answer this question! Due to my career in the company, I feel strongly identified with all our brands, especially with Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, H Upmann and VegaFina. Today, the fact of seeing them so well positioned internationally makes them much more special for me.

CD: What would you say is the most important or delicate step in the art of rolling cigars?

LV: For me, the most important steps are the good bunching construction and aesthetics in the rolling, to get a perfect draw, good ashes and a good finish. To achieve these points, we need first of all very high-quality tobacco leaves, like the ones we use at TDG, committed, proud people, with knowledge of the product, working with their hands, mind and heart. So, we will have the best cigars in the world.

CD: Within the framework of this special edition of CIGARRO DOMINICANO magazine, dedicated to ladies of the industry, do you have any advice for young women who are starting out in tobacco world?

LV: I must not forget mentioned the word commitment, I advise the young women of this era to continue the legacy of maintaining the visibility and inclusion that women have today in relevant positions in this and other industries. Motivate them to know and study the tobacco and take full advantage of the role they have to live.